By Tabitha Makumi,
For most Kenyan job seekers, the odds are against them when it comes to getting that much needed job.
“I cleared campus/college three years ago and I am yet to get a job.”
“I have applied for three jobs this month and I haven’t been called for a single interview.”
“I have applied for three jobs this month and I haven’t been called for a single interview.”
These are the everyday responses which you will get from most job seekers.
The odds here are that our Kenyan job market does not have much to offer to the majority of job seekers. For starters, not every job seeker went to a big name school which every employer wants to hire from and worst of all, most job seekers do not have connections in the industry they are hoping to work in.
So how does one do it? How does one make sure that they do not remain in the jobless corner for another year or numerous years for that matter?
Is it luck? True, there are those people who you clear school with and within a few months they already have a job.. so yeah, luck have a little to do with it.
But I will tell you what; it takes more action, hard work, and willpower, than anything. Don’t be caught up in the wave of entitlement where most Kenyan youth tend to think they are entitled to something…you want something really bad…you work hard for it.
Here are some few tips on how to accomplish being called for more job interviews and hopefully land that job.
1.Treat your job search as a job
I am sure this is not the first time you are hearing this ‘Kutafuta kazi ni kazi’What you will have to do is set a time DAILY to focus on your job search. The morning hours are particularly the best because you have clear head then but if that doesn’t work for you, go for mid morning, afternoon or evening and dedicate it to your job search process. Make it a habit.
I am sure this is not the first time you are hearing this ‘Kutafuta kazi ni kazi’What you will have to do is set a time DAILY to focus on your job search. The morning hours are particularly the best because you have clear head then but if that doesn’t work for you, go for mid morning, afternoon or evening and dedicate it to your job search process. Make it a habit.
Make sacrifices and direct all your energy consistently on that one thing you want. Looks for jobs on job sites such this one and several others out there. Peruse through the newspapers and see if there are vacancies which you are qualified for and apply.
If you set a time each day, you will find that you will never miss an opening since you are always looking. Don’t be that guy who sees a job they are qualified for a month after it was advertised and still expects to get the job.
Rely on word of mouth too, someone somewhere may know of a position. Keep your ears wide open, network on line, check back with the places you interned before and see if they have any openings, check back with alumni who are working and connect with them.
And need I say if you are serious about your job search like you say you are, then you should be aware of all HR firms in Kenya or otherwise known as recruitment agencies who are hired by several companies to recruit for them. It’s upon you to check their websites DAILY and see if they have any vacancies which you are qualified for.
2.Focus on volume
As many as possible here is the key thing. Don’t apply for two jobs in a span of two months and you are still crying foul.
As many as possible here is the key thing. Don’t apply for two jobs in a span of two months and you are still crying foul.
But in as much as you want to have a heavy volume of job applications out there, make sure you apply for positions which you are fit for. Otherwise this method will just backfire on you.
You will be surprised by how this method can yield results.
And while you are at it, make sure you have the right tools…what do I mean by this? A perfect cover letter accompanied by a well written CV. You can never bargain with these two important documents.
All the best in your job search.
